Pimobendan is a cardiac inodilator that combines positive inotropic effects with vasodilatory properties, primarily used in veterinary medicine for the management of congestive heart failure in dogs, particularly due to dilated cardiomyopathy or mitral valve disease. It works by sensitizing cardiac myofilaments to calcium, enhancing cardiac contractility without markedly increasing myocardial oxygen demand, and by inhibiting phosphodiesterase III, leading to vasodilation and reduced afterload. Pimobendan was first developed in Japan in the 1980s, aiming to provide a safer and more effective treatment for canine heart failure compared to traditional positive inotropes such as digoxin. Its introduction represented a significant advance in veterinary cardiology, improving both quality of life and survival in dogs with heart failure. Over time, pimobendan has become a cornerstone in veterinary cardiac therapy due to its dual action, favorable safety profile, and proven clinical efficacy, and research continues into its potential applications in other species and heart conditions.
